Multiple-position reclining chair



July 17, 1962 F. F. scHLlEPHAcKE 3,044,826

MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. ll, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 17, 1962 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,044,826

MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. ll, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR.` F'R/Dr/OF E .Sc/M MPA/4678i QTrORA/tvs July 17, 1962 I F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,044,826

MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. ll, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

FIG. 6.

JNVENTQR. Femm/or A CHL /fP/Ackf United States Patent O 3 044,826 MULTlPlLE-PGSITION RECLINING CHAIR Fridtiof F. Schiiephaclre, Berlin-Schmargendori,

Germany, assigner to Anton Lorenz Filed Aug. l1, 1959, Ser. No. 833,093 l2 Claims. (Cl. 297-88) The present invention relates to improvements in multiple position reclining chairs, and has particular relation to novel and improved control means for producing the multiple position movement in cha-irs of this type.

Multiple position chairs are characterized by their ability to be brought to various tilted body-supporting positions with the leg-rest properly extended. Typical of the multiple position type of chair is the so-called twoposition chair which has a rigid seat and back-rest unit mounted on a support `frame for rearward movement through a iirst motion phase from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted position, and Ithen through a second motion phase to a fully tilted position. A leg-rest is also included in the chair structure and is provided with actuating means adapted to move the leg-rest from a retracted position beneath the seat to yan extended, legsupporting position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting unit during the first motion phase from the sitting position to the intermediate tilted position. When the body-supporting unit lis then brought :to its fully-tilted position, the leg-rest actuating means is adapted to maintain the leg-rest extended in proper leg-supporting position.

The intermediate position ofthe body-supporting unit is a slightly-tilted active position with the occupants body in a substantially upright attitude suitable for viewing television, talking, reading or `the like. In such position, the leg-rest has already moved to an extended position for supporting theV occupants legs. The body-supporting unit can then, when desired, be tilted -further to an inactive fully-tilted position in which the occupants body is supported in a more supine or recumbent position for greater relaxation, and with the leg-rest .is still extended in position to support the outstretched legs of the chair occupant.

Two position movements of the type described above have been accomplished by thel use of a -single carrier A member operatively supported by the frame, with the body-supporting unit movably mounted on the carrier member for movement relative thereto during the first motion phase. The carrier member is then movable relative to the chair support frame during the second motion phase, and carries the body-supporting unit to its fullytil'ted position.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a two-position reclining chair in which a pair of carrier members are employed to produce the two-position movement, neither of which carrier members are directly pivoted to the support frame.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of novel and improved control means for a twoposition chair which produces an elective and efficient two-position movement, in which the center of rotation of the body-supporting unit shifts from a movable mount on the main carrier member to a pivotal coupling between the auxiliary carrier member and `the support frame.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a body-supporting unit mounted on a main carrier mern,

ber by a pair of guide members. The body-supporting unit is moved by the guide members relative to the main carrier member during the iirst motion phase yto the intermediate tilted position, and the main carrier member Iremains immovable, resting upon a portion of the support ICC frame. The guide members have extensions connected yto the auxiliary carrier member and the latter has a lost motion connection with the support frame, for example a pin-and-slot connection. At the intermediate tilted position, the guide members becomerigidly coupled to the main carrier member so that they can no longer move relative to said main carrier member, and the lost motion travel ends with the auxiliary carrier member connected by a iixed pivot to the support frame. The auxiliary carrier member then turns about the fixed pivot on the support frame, the main carrier member turning in unison with it about said iixed pivot |and carrying the body-supporting unit through a second motion phase to the fully- Iti'lted position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a multiple position chair of the characterl described in whichmeans are provided for raising the leg-rest to an extended position during the first motion phase and maintaining the leg-rest extended during the second motion phase.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent during the course of the following specication when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a two-position control means made in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in an ing the chair thereof in its fully-tilted position;

Y FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a modified type of two-position control means m-ade according to the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sit-ting position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in FIG. 4, with the chair shown inthe intermediate tilted position and the leg-rest in an extended position; Iand FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the chair of FIGS. 4 and 5, shown in its fully-tilted position.

Referring now specifically to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-3, the reclining chair shown therein comprises a base or support fname designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and having spaced side walls '12 inter-connected by cross bars `or braces 14 and 16. The chair also includes a body-supporting unit, designated by the reference numeral 18, and comprising a seat 20 and a back-rest 22 formed rigidly with each other. The body-supporting unit 18 is operatively mounted on the support frame lil for movement relative thereto from the upright sitting position of FIG. l to the active intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, and then to an inactive fully-tilted position shown in FIG. 3.

The movable mounting of the body-supporting unit 18 is accomplished by control means, designated generally by the reference numeral 24 and including a main carrier member 28, an auxiliary carrier member 26, and a pair of guide links 30 and 32. The main carrier member 28 normally rests in an immovable horizontal position on a pair of spaced stop members in the form of stub bars 34 and 36 affixed to the support frame side Walls 12.

The upper ends of guide links 30 and 31 are connected to spaced points on the seat 20 by respective pivots 38 and 4i?. Said guide links 30 and 32 are mounted on the ends of main'carrier member 28 by respective pivots 42 and 44. In the upright sitting position of the chair shownv in FIG. l, the main carrier member 28 rests upon the stub bars 34 and 36 and supports the .body-supporting unit 18 through the guide links 30 and 32. The lower surface of the main carrier member 28 is provided with a pair of notches or indentations 72 and 74 (shown in FIG. 3) which snugly receive the stub bars 34 and 36 and prevent the main carrier member from sliding axially on said stub bars.

The guide links 3Q and 32 have depending extensions 38a and 32a which depend below their respective pivotal mounts 42 and 44 on the main carrier member 2S. The ends of these extensions 36a and 32a are connected by pivots 46 and 48 to spaced points on the auxiliary carrier member 26. The latter has at its rear end an axial slot t) through which extends a pin 52 rigidly fixed to the support frame. The pin 52 and slot 50 provide a lost motion means permitting forward movement of the auxiliary carrier member 26 during the first motion phase, as will be presently described.

The chair also includes a leg-rest 56 which is carried by a bar 58 mounted by pivot 60 on the fenward end of the seat 2G. The leg-rest 56 is controlled by an actuating link 62 which is mounted at one end by pivot 66 on the forward end of the auxiliary carrier member 26, and is connected at its other end by pivot 64 to the bar 58 at a point below the pivotal mount 60 of the leg-rest on the seat.

In the upright sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. l, the main carrier member 28 rests upon the stub bars 34 and 36 to provide a rigid support for the body-supporting unit 1S. The front guide link 3i? is in an upright position and slightly forwardly inclined, and the rear guide link 32 is also in an upright position. The fixed pin 52 is located at the forward end of the slot Si). The leg-rest 56 is in a retracted position extending downwardly beneath the forward end of the seat 26, and the actuating link 62 rests upon a stop member 68 at the front end of the auxiliary carrier member 26, to prevent forward movement of said link 62.

When the occupant of the chair exerts rearward pressure against the back-rest 22, the guide members 36 and 32 turn rearwardly about the respective pivotal mounts 42 and 44 on the immovable main carrier member 28 to bring the body-supporting unit 18 to its intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2,

In this connection it will be noted that the front guide link 30 is more forwardly inclined than the rear guide link 32, so that the front guide link 36 raises the forward portion of the seat 2li while the rear guide link 32 lowers the rear portion of said seat. The body-supporting unit 18 is therefore moved rearwardly and simultaneously tilted.

During the fu'st phase of movement to the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, the guide link extensions 36a and 32a turn forwardly, moving the auxiliary carrier member 26 forwardly until the fixed pin 52 is located at the rear end of the slot Si). The limit of the first phase of motion is determined by engagement of the rear guide link 32 with a stop member 70 at the rear end of the auxiliary carrier member 26, such engagement preventing further turning movement of the guide members 30 and 32 relative to both carrier member 26 and 28. Thus, in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, the bodysupporting unit 18 is rigidly coupled to said carrier members 26 and 28.

As the forward end portion of the seat moves upwardly and rearwardly, it carries with it the pivotal mount 60 of the leg-rest 56. The forward movement of the auxiliary carrier member 26 and the simultaneous rearward movement of the seat 2G, shortens the distance between the pivots 60 and 66, and therefore causes the actuating link 62 to exert a forward and upward push on the leg-rest bar S8 at point 64, despite the fact that the forward end of seat 20 is raised slightly. The link 62 therefore pivots upwardly and the leg-rest 56 turns about the fixed pivot 6i) and is raised to its extended position of 4 FIG. 2 wherein it is positioned to support the legs of the chair occupant.

It will be observed that in the active or intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, the body-supporting unit 18 is only slightly tilted and the occupants body is supported in a substantially upright attitude suitable for reading, viewing television, or the like. At the same time the legrest 56 is fully extended and properly positioned to support the out-stretched legs of the occupant.

In the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, the pin 52 is located at the rear end of slot 50 and enters an offset extension 54 of said slot 50 (best seen in FIG. l). The pin 52 becomes seated in said slot extension 54, the latter then becoming a pivot bearing for turning movement of the auxiliary carrier member 26 about the fixed pin 52 during the second motion phase.

If the occupant of the chair in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 wishes to assume a more reclined position for greater relaxation, he need only apply further rearward pressure against the back-rest 22, to bring the body-supporting unit 18 to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 3. The rearward shift of the occupants weight changes the center of gravity of the body-supporting unit and causes the auxiliary carrier member 26 to turn in a clock-wise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, about the fixed pivot 52 which is seated in the extension 54 at the end of slot 50. The forward end of the auxiliary carrier member 26 is therefore raised relative to the support frame 10, and since the guide links 3i) and 32 and the body-supporting unit 18 are now rigidly coupled to the carrier member 26, said body-supporting unit is tilted further rearwardly about the lixed pivot pin 52 to the fully-reclined position shown in FIG. 3. This position is determined and limited by engagement of the rear portion of the seat 29 with the rear cross bar 16. The main carrier member 28, during this second phase of movement, is lifted by the auxiliary carrier member 26 up from the stub bars 34 and 36.

Since the body-supporting unit 18 is rigidly coupled with the auxiliary carrier member 26 by engagement of the rear guide link 32 with the stop 70, there is no relative movement of the body-supporting unit and auxiliary carrier member during this second phase of movement from the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 3. The leg-rest 56 is therefore maintained in the extended position when the body-supporting unit arrives at said fully-tilted position.

To return from the fully-tilted position to the intermediate tilted position, it is only necessary for the occupant to shift his weight forwardly, thereby moving forward the center of gravity of the body-supporting unit and causing the latter to turn forwardly about the pivot pin 52 until it again reaches the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2. To return from the intermediate tilted position to the upright sitting position, the occupant need merely apply downward pressure on the leg-rest 56, this pressure causing the body-supporting unit 18 to move forwardly on the guide links 30 and 32.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown a reclining chair having a modified type of control means for the `body-supporting unit, also made in accordance with the invention. The chair again comprises a base or support frame having spaced side walls 112 interconnected by cross bars or braces 114 `and 116. The chair also includes a body-supporting unit, designated generally by the numeral 118, comprising a seat and a backrest 122 formed rigidly with each other. The body-supporting unit 118 is again operatively mounted on the support frame 110 for movement relative thereto from the upright sitting position of FIG. 4 to the active intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5 and then to an inactive fully-tilted position shown in FIG. 6.

The movement of the body-supporting unit 11S is effected by control means, designated generally by the reference numeral 124. Said control means 124 includes a main carrier member 128, anv auxiliary carrier member 126, and a pair of guide links 138 and 132.

The main carrier member 128 is normally maintained in a horizontal position by a pair of spaced stop members in the form of stub `bars 134 and 136 affixed to the support frame side walls 112. The stub bar 134 is located below the main carrier member 128 and is normally seated in a notch or indentation 172 (shown in FIG. 6) on the lower surface of said carrier member 128. The stub bar 136 is located above the main carrier member 128 and is normally engaged by a hook 176 carried by said member 128. By this construction, `the main carrier member 128 is maintained immovable in the upright sitting position and intermediate tilted position, and is prevented from becoming disengaged from said stub bars 134 and 136.

The lower ends of the guide links 138 and 132 are mounted on the main carrier member 128 by respective pivots 142 and 144. Said guide links 138 .and 132 are connected to spaced points on the seat 120 by respective pivots 138 and 148. -In the upright sitting position of FG. 1, the main carrier member 128 is held immovably by the stub bars 134 and 136, and supports the bodysupporting unit 118 through the guide links 138 and 132.

In this instance, the guide links 13d and 132 have upstanding extensions 134m and 132:1 which project above the scat pivots 138 and 140. These extensions 131161 and 132e are connected by pivots 146 and 148 to the ends of the auxiliary carrier member 126. Said auxiliary carrier member 126 has an axial slot 158 which slidably receives a pin 152 arlixed to the support frame 118. The pin 152 and slot 158 provide a lost motion travel during the first motion phase which permits the auxiliary carrier member 126 to be moved rearwardly.

The chair also includes a leg-rest 156 which, in this instance, is directly mounted by pivot 178 on the forward end of an upwardly-inclined forward extension 128a o'r front extensions 128a of the stationary main carrier member 128 restrains rearward movement of the leg-rest 156 at point 178. The leg-rest therefore turns labout pivot 178 land is raised to its leg-supporting po-sition of FIG. 5.

in the active or intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5the body-supporting unit 118 is only slightly tilted yand the occupants body is supported in a substantially upright attitude suitable for reading, viewing television or the like. At the same time the leg-rest 156 is fully extended Iand properly positioned to support the outstretched legs fof the occupant.

When the occupantrof the chair, in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5, applies further rearward pressure against the back-rest 122, the body-supporting uni-t 118 is lbrought: to the fully-tilted position shown in FIG. 6. The rearward shift of the occupants weight causes the auxiliary carrier member 126 to turn about a different center of rotation, that is to say about the fixed pivot 152 which is seated at the forward end of slot 158. The auxiliary carrier member 126 carries with it as a rigid unit .the guide links 130, 132, the seat 128, and the main :carrier member 128, the latter being tilted out of n engagement with the stub bars 134 and 136, as shown the main carrier member 128. The end `of the leg-rest 156 is connected by pivot 180 to the forward end portion of thev seat 128, the pivot 181i being above and forwardly of the pivot 178.

In the upright sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. 4, the main carrier member 128 rests `against the stub bars 134 and 136 to provide a rigid support for the bodysupporting unit 118. The front and rear guide links 138 and 132 are in upright positions and slightly forwardly inclined, and the fixed pin 152 is located at the rear end of the slot 150. The leg-rest 156 is in a retracted position extending downwardly lbeneath the forward end 0f the seat 1211.

When the occupant of the chair exerts rearward pressure against the. 4back-rest 122, the guide links 138 and 132 turn rearwardly about 'their respective pivotal mounts 142 and 141i, on the immovable main carrier member 128, to bring the body-supporting unit 118 to its intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5. The body-supporting unit 118 is therefore moved rearwardly and simultaneously tilted.

During the first phase of movement to the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5, the guide link upstanding extensions 130a and 132a turn rearwardly about their respective pivots 138 and 140, carrying the auxiliary carrier member 126 rearwardly until the fixed pin 152 is located at the forward end of the slot 150. In the intermediate tilted position, the front guide link 130 engages a stop member 182 on Ithe main carrier member 128, preventing further turning movement of the guide links 136 and 132 relative to the main carrier member 128. Thus, in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5, the body-supporting unit 118 is rigidly coupled to the main carrier member 128.

As the forward end portionl of the'seat 128 moves upwardly and rearwardly, it carries with it the pivot 180 which, moves into vertical alignment with the pivotal mount 178 of the leg-rest on the main carrier member 128, `and then to the rear of said pivotal mount 178. The

in FIG. 6. The fully-tilted position is determined and limited by engagement of the rear portion of the` seat with the rear cross bar 116.

During the second phase of movement from the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5 to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 6, Ithe body-supporting unit 118 is rigidly couple-d to the carrier member 128 and there is thus no relative movement of the seat 121B 'and the pivot'178. The leg-rest is therefore maintained in its extended, legsupporting position relative to the seat.

While preferredembodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and omissions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

'What I claim is:

l. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and backrest formed rigidly with each other, :and means mounting the body-supporting uni-t on the support frame for movement through a first phase of motion from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, said mounting means including a main carrier member, means on the frame supporting said main carrier member in a stationary position during the first motion phase, front and rear guide means pivotally connected at spaced points to the body-supporting unit and pivotally mounted at spaced points on said main carrier member for movement relative thereto during said iirst motion phase in which the front and rear guide means turn rearwardly relative to the main carrier membenan auxiliary carrier member connected lbetween said front `and rear guide means and carried thereby, a lost motion connection between said auxiliary carrier member and the support frame, said auxiliary carrier member being freely movable with said front and rear guide means relative to the support frame during said first motion phase, and means blocking the movement `of said guide means relative to said main carrier member at the. end of s-aid iirstmotion phase whereby said main carrier member, guide means and body-supporting unitare joined as la rigid unit, said lost motion connection being operative at the' end of said first motion phase for coupling said auxiliary carrier member with the support frame and providing a ixed pivotal mount for said rigid unit during said second motion phase.

2. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including `a seat and backrest formed rigidly with each other, and means mounting the ybody-supporting unit on the support frame for movement through a rst phase of motion from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, said mounting means including a main carrier member, means on the frame supporting said main carrier member in a stationary position during the first motion phase, front and rear guide members pivotally connected at spaced points to the body-supporting unit and pivotally mounted at spaced points on said main carrier member for movement relative thereto during `said first motion phase in which the guide members turn rearwardly, an auxiliary carrier member pivotally connected between said guide members and carried thereby, a lost motion connection between said auxiliary carrier member and the support frame arranged to permit the auxiliary carrier member to be moved relative to the support frame by said guide members as the latter turn on the stationary main carrier member during said first motion phase, means blocking the movement of said guide means relative to said main carrier member at the end of said first motion phase whereby said main carrier member, guide means and body-supporting unit are coupled as a rigid unit, said lost motion connection providing a fixed center of rotation on the support frame for said auxiliary carrier member and the rigidly coupled body-supporting unit during said second motion phase, with the main carrier member rising from the support means on the frame.

3. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and backrest formed rigidly with each other, `and means mounting the body-supporting unit on the support frame for movement through a first phase of motion from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, said mounting means including a main carrier member, means on the frame supporting said carrier member in a stationary position during the rst motion phase, front and rear guide links mounting the bodysupporting unit on said main carrier member, said guide links being pivotally connected to spaced points on the main carrier member and pivotally connected at spaced points to the seat, said guide links having extension portions projecting beyond one of the pivotal connections thereof, an auxiliary carrier member pivotally connected between and carried by said guide link extensions, a lost motion connection coupling the auxiliary carrier member to the support frame for lost motion movement of the auxiliary carrier member by said guide link extensions as the guide links turn on the stationary main carrier member during said first motion phase, means blocking the movement of said guide links about their pivotal connections with said main carrier member at the end of said first motion phase whereby said main carrier member, guide means and body-supporting unit are joined as a rigid unit, said lost motion connection being operative at the end of said tirst motion phase to provide a fixed pivot for said auxiliary carrier member, the auxiliary carrier member and the rigidly coupled body-supporting unit turning about said fixed pivot during said second motion phase.

4. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and backrest formed rigidly with each other, and means mounting the body-supporting unit on the support frame for movement through a first phase of motion from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, said mounting means including -a main carrier member, means on the frame supporting said carrier member in a stationary position during the rst motion phase, front and rear guide links mounting the body-supporting unit on said main carrier member for movement relative thereto during said first motion phase in which said guide links turn rearwardly, an auxiliary carrier member pivotally connected to said front and rear guide links and movable therewith 4during said first motion phase, a

Cil

pin-and-slot connection between said auxiliary carrier member and the support frame providing a lost motion movement of the auxiliary carrier member during said first motion phase, means blocking the movement of said guide links relative to said main carrier member at the end of said first motion phase whereby said main carrier member, guide links and body-supporting unit are coupled as a rigid unit, the pin engaging one end of the slot and providing a fixed pivot for the auxiliary carrier member at the end of said first motion phase, whereby said auxiliary carrier member and the rigidly coupled bodysupporting unit turn about said fixed pivot during said second motion phase.

5. A reclining chair according to claim 4 which also includes a leg-rest, and leg-rest control means connecting said leg-rest with one of the carrier members and a movable portion of the chair other than said one carrier member, said leg-rest control means being operative to raise the leg-rest from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended position forwardly or" the seat in response to movement of the body-suporting unit relative to the main carrier member during the first motion phase.

6. A multiple position reclining chair according to claim 4 in which said blocking means comprises a stop member on one of the carrier members positioned to engage one of the guide links at the intermediate tilted position.

7. A reclining chair according to claim 6 in which the leg-rest control means connects the leg-rest with the forward portion of the seat and with the auxiliary carrier member.

8. A reclining chair according to claim 6 in which the leg-rest control means connects the leg-rest with the forward portion of the seat and with the main carrier member.

9. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and backrest formed rigidly with each other, and means mounting the body-supporting unit on the support frame for movement through a first phase of motion from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, said mounting means including a main carrier member, means on the frame supporting said carrier member in a stationary position during the first motion phase, front and rear guide links mounting the bodysupporting unit on said main carrier member, said guide links being pivotally mounted at spaced points on the main carrier member and being pivotally connected to spaced points on the seat, said guide links having depending extension portions projecting below their pivotal mounts on the main carrier member, said extension portions moving forwardly when the Seat is moved rearwardly during the first motion period, an auxiliary carrier member pivotally connected to and carried by said guide link extension portions and being movable forwardly by said extension portions during said first motionphase, means blocking the movement of said guide links relative to said main carrier member at the end of said first motion phase whereby said main carrier member, guide links and body-supporting unit are coupled as a rigid unit, a fixed pin mounted on said support frame, and an elongated slot in said auxiliary carrier member slidably receiving said pin, the slot sliding along the pin in a lost motion travel when the auxiliary carrier member is moved by the guide link extension during said first motion phase, the pin engaging the rear end of the slot and serving as a tixed center of rotation for the auxiliary carrier member and the rigidly-coupled body-supporting unit during said second motion phase.

`l0. A reclining chair according to claim 9 which also includes a leg-rest pivotally mounted on the forward end of the seat rand a leg-rest actuating link pivotally mounted on the auxiliary carrier member and pivotally connected to the leg-rest at a point below the pivotal mount of the of the body-supporting unit relative to -the auxiliary car-- rier member during the rst motion phase, the actuating link maintaining the leg-rest in its extended position during the second motion.

11. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including ya seat and Ibackrest formed rigidly with each other, and means mounting the body-supporting unit on the support frame for movement through a first phase of motion from an upright sitting position to yan intermediate tilted position `and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, said mounting means including a main carrier member, means on the frame supporting said carrier member in a `stationary position `during the first motion phase, front and rear guide links mounting the body-supporting unit on said main carrier, said guide links being pivotally mounted at spaced points on the main carrier member and being pivotally connected to spaced points on the seat, said guide links having upstanding extension portions projecting :above their pivotal connections with the seat, said extension portions moving rearwardly with -the seat during said iirst motion phase, ian auxiliary carrier member pivotally connected to and carried by said guide link extension portions and being movable rearwardly thereby during said iirst motion phase, means blocking the movement of `said guide links relative to said main carrier member at the end of said iirst motion phase whereby said main carrier member, guide links and bodysupport ing unit `are coupled as a rigid unit, ka iixed pin mounted on the support frame, and `an elongated slot in said auxiliary carrier member slidably receiving said pin, Ithe slot lsliding rearwardly along the pin in a lost motion travel when the auxiliary carrier member is moved by the guide link extensions during said -iirst motion phase, the pin engaging the front end of the slot land serving as a iixed center -of rotation for -the lauxiliary carrier member andV the rigidly-coupled body-supporting unit during said second motion phase.

12. A reclining chair according to claim 11 which also includes a leg-rest pivotally mounted on the forward end of the main carrier member `and pivotally connected to the seat at a point labove said pivotal connection on the main carrier member, fthe rearward movement of the seat relative .to .the main carrier member raising the leg-rest from Ia retracted position beneath the seat to an extended position forwardly of the lseat `during ysaid first motion phase.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,615,497 Luckhardt Oct. 28, 1952 2,664,942 Spear Ian. 5, 1954 2,746,520 Ducrot May 22, 1956 2,918,109 Schliephacke Dec. 22, 1959 2,918,113 vLorenz Dec. 22, 1959 FOREGN PATENTS 42,408 France Apr. 25, 1933 737,396 Great Britain VSept. 28, 

